TV viewers are being called on to help crack an armed Tyneside scooter gang.

The gang which struck at Tesco's store in Kingston Park, Newcastle, is featured on BBC's Crimewatch UK tonight.

Northumbria officers have recovered a scooter they believe was used by a couple of the gang to escape in November.

It will be displayed in the studio in a bid to job witness memories of the events that night when a robber threatened Securicor guards with a pistol.

Det Insp Terry McNamarra, said: "An appeal will be made on Crimewatch tonight for information which would help the investigation."

Police believe the raider had waited near the ATMs at the store for the guards to arrive with money, at around 4.10pm on November 24.

When one guard approached with a cash canister the robber thrust the handgun at him.

An e-the fit of the raider (pictured above) was released after he escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Northumbria Police scrambled the force helicopter and called in other officers to track down the robber as he fled across the car park towards the rear of Next.

The robber is around 35 to 45, 6ft 3in, lanky, with a gaunt face and pronounced cheekbones. He wore a black wool hat with white stripe, dark overcoat and carried a rucksack. Police believe he may have been Eastern European.

It is believed he escaped on a Y-registration blue Aprilia scooter driven by an accomplice.

Police want to hear from anyone who may have seen the scooter anytime between October 28 when it was stolen in Leicester.

Crimewatch UK is on BBC1 at 9pm.

Anyone with any information is asked to call (0191) 214 6555 or the Crimewatch studios.